A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kuala Lumpur vs. Picton for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Kuala Lumpur or Picton?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kuala Lumpur and Picton. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is a diverse, colorful, and historic city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Picton

Picton is a quaint, relaxing, and picturesque town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Kuala Lumpur and Picton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kuala Lumpur or Picton?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Kuala Lumpur than Picton, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Kuala Lumpur is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Picton is more popular for its beaches, hiking, and small town charm. Kuala Lumpur is well known for its blend of cultures and cuisines, its mix of modern and colonial, and its bustling neighborhoods with markets and restaurants. Also, Kuala Lumpur is famous for The Petronas Twin Towers. Picton is well known for its picturesque scenery, laid back setting, and beautiful walking trails.

The Petronas Twin Towers

How is Kuala Lumpur different from Picton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Picton and Kuala Lumpur. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kuala Lumpur or Picton?

Kuala Lumpur is very popular for its sights and museums. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Kuala Lumpur on the map. The most notable landmark in the city is the famed Petronas Twin Towers, but other popular sights include Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur Tower, and the National Museum.

Picton is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a few local museums around town that are fun to visit with the weather isn't cooperating. Edwin Fox Ship is the world's oldest merchant ship. You can also learn about the town's whaling past at the Picton Heritage and Whaling Museum.

Is the Food Better in Kuala Lumpur or Picton? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kuala Lumpur is very popular for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Eat your way through Kuala Lumpur, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The food is influenced by the populations that live here and you'll find a lot of Malay, Chinese and Indian flavors. Spicy curries and noodle dishes are very common. Street food is also a mainstay in this city and it's an experience to wander the market streets and sample dishes from the different vendors.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Picton. The town is filled with restaurants that stay true to New Zealand's culinary traditions. Mussels and salmon are common on menus, and there are many bakeries and waterfront cafes to try.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Picton Better for Nightlife?

Kuala Lumpur is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Picton is not a good town for nightlife.

Kuala Lumpur offers plenty to do in the evening. Rooftop bars and lounges are popular hangout spots after the sun sets. For classy pubs and clubs head to the Golden Triangle district, but if drinking and partying isn't your thing, the city's night markets are not to be missed.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Picton. It's a small town with a quiet and calm atmosphere.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Picton Better for Beaches?

Picton is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Kuala Lumpur is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Picton for it's beautiful beaches. There are four beaches in the area. Picton Beach is by the town center and near many restaurants and cafes. About a ten minute walk from town is Shelley Beach and if you're up for more walking, Bob's Bay is secluded and nice. If you have a car you can make it to Governer's Bay.

Kuala Lumpur is not a beach destination.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Picton Better for Hiking?

Picton is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Kuala Lumpur is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Picton. There are many nice walking paths in the area and this is a great way to explore, reach beaches, and see the surrounding landscapes. If you're up for a longer trip, Queen Charlotte Track is a popular trail.

Kuala Lumpur is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kuala Lumpur or Picton?

Kuala Lumpur is very popular for its shopping areas. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Kuala Lumpur is a world class destination for shoppers. The city is filled with shopping malls, and a big appeal of shopping in this city is the very affordable prices. Some of the most popular shopping malls are Suria KLCC at the base of the Petronas Towers as well as the malls in the Bukit Bintang/Jalan Imbi areas.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Picton. There are a few galleries and local shops around town.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Picton Better for Families?

Both Kuala Lumpur and Picton are excellent family-friendly destinations.

Kuala Lumpur is a very family-friendly destination. This family-friendly city includes a surprising number of opportunities to experience wildlife. There's an aquarium, petting zoos, and places to see the wild monkeys. There are also large playgrounds including one by the Petronas Towers. Kids will also enjoy exploring the Botanical Gardens, Butterfly Park, and the Forest Eco Park.

Picton is a very kid-friendly city. Kids will enjoy taking a boat cruise to Motuara Island. You can see dolphins, birds, and other wildlife. There are also wildlife centers in the area, family-friendly walking trails, museums, aquariums, and kayaking opportunities.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Picton Better for Couples?

Kuala Lumpur and Picton both excellent destinations for a couple.

Kuala Lumpur makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This city has diverse restaurants and a number of luxury hotels at affordable prices. For couples who enjoy romance on a budget, this is a good city.

Couples visit Picton frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are romantic and quaint bed and breakfasts, beautiful walking paths, wildlife encounters, and many more fun activities for couples. Kayak trips, vineyard tours, and local spas make this a great couple's getaway destination.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Picton Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kuala Lumpur and Picton are both excellent destinations for backpackers.

Kuala Lumpur is very popular with the backpacker crowd. This is a popular stop for backpackers on the Southeast Asia circuit. It's modern and comfortable but also affordable and diverse. The city has a number of affordable hostels, but it also has a more laid back and authentic vibe than you'll find in many other Southeast Asian cities. The city also isn't as touristy as some other cities, so the people are down to Earth and helpful without being jaded by all of the vacationers.

Picton is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are plenty of hostels in the area as well as great transportation links, making this a great spot for backpackers.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Picton Better for Students?

Kuala Lumpur is very popular for students. However, Picton is not popular with students.

Kuala Lumpur is a very popular place to visit for students. It's affordability, diversity, and dynamic atmosphere make this a great city for international students.

Picton is not popular with students.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Picton Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Kuala Lumpur is very popular for its public transit. Also, Picton is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Kuala Lumpur has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. The system is relatively easy to navigate with most signs in English. There are buses, a monorail, light rail transit and commuter trains.

Picton has some public transit options. There are water taxis but no buses around town.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Picton a more walkable city?

Kuala Lumpur and Picton are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Kuala Lumpur is very walkable. Traffic can be congested, but there are many wide sidewalks and pedestrian areas around town. The River of Life waterfront area offers nice paths that connect many tourist areas.

Picton is a very walkable city. It's a quaint and compact town that's easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Kuala Lumpur Worth Visiting? and Is Picton Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Picton or Kuala Lumpur?

How long in Kuala Lumpur or Picton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Kuala Lumpur or Picton to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Kuala Lumpur than Picton because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Kuala Lumpur, and 1-2 days is enough time in Picton.

Families should spend more time in Kuala Lumpur than Picton. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Kuala Lumpur, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Kuala Lumpur than Picton. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Kuala Lumpur that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kuala Lumpur than Picton if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Kuala Lumpur.

One day in Kuala Lumpur or Picton?

Kuala Lumpur is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Picton, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this scenic town offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this town.

A weekend in Kuala Lumpur or Picton?

Kuala Lumpur is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Picton is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Kuala Lumpur or Picton?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kuala Lumpur. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find food and shopping around the scenic destination of Picton. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Kuala Lumpur or Picton?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the colorful big city of Kuala Lumpur. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Picton is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kuala Lumpur and Picton, we can see that Picton is more expensive. And not only is Kuala Lumpur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kuala Lumpur is in Asia and Picton is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Kuala Lumpur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kuala Lumpur and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Picton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Picton than you might in Kuala Lumpur.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kuala Lumpur Expensive? and Is Picton Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kuala Lumpur or Picton?

Kuala Lumpur has a larger population, and is about 480 times larger than the population of Picton. When comparing the sizes of Kuala Lumpur and Picton, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Kuala Lumpur or Picton?

Picton has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kuala Lumpur experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Picton in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kuala Lumpur as well as Picton. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Picton this time of year.

In July, Kuala Lumpur is generally much warmer than Pictonin January. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 28°C (82°F), and Picton fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in July than Pictonin January. Kuala Lumpur gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Picton receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Picton in the Autumn?

Both Picton and Kuala Lumpur are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Picton for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Picton in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Picton fluctuates around 15°C (58°F)in April.

It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. In October, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Pictonin April. Kuala Lumpur gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Picton receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Picton in the Winter?

Both Picton and Kuala Lumpur during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Picton in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Picton. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Picton averages at about 10°C (49°F)in July.

Picton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in January than Pictonin July. Kuala Lumpur gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Picton receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Picton in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kuala Lumpur and Picton. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur year-round. Also, most visitors come to Picton for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.

In April, Kuala Lumpur is generally much warmer than Pictonin October. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 28°C (82°F), and Picton fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Pictonin October. Kuala Lumpur gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Picton receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Picton and Kuala Lumpur